BROADSWORD - The Ultimate Passagemaker
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| BROADSWORD entering South Minerva Reef |
May 21, 2016
North Minerva Reef
PASSAGEMAKERS! Much has been written about them since Robert Beebe’s initial coining of the term Passagemaker. As a reminder, what was that initial definition? A vessel that is affordable, economical, capable to cross any ocean, and simple enough to be handled by a couple with no particular sea-going experience.
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| BROADSWORD made a "splash" at the Auckland Boat Show |
Since Beebe’s Passagemaker and Leishman’s Nordhavn 46, the market has evolved and designers have struggled to fulfill the demand of MORE (accommodations and systems) on LESS (hull length,) often resulting in vessels that are complicated, inefficient to run, and expensive to maintain.
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| We spotted Dashew's ICEBERG off of New Zealan |
Dashew’s sleek FPB series, though spectacular, is yet one step beyond the concept of affordable or simple. Somewhere along the line, the initial Passagemaker concept has been lost. Today’s yachtsman should not have to break into Fort Knox to afford his cruising ambitions and should not need an engineering degree to operate his yacht. Where to turn to, then?
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| Dashew's complex FPB has, in our opinion, a major flaw: no aft deck room |
Thanks to Dennis Harjamaa, the Passagemaker concept has just been revived in the body of the LRC 58. When we saw BROADSWORD glide into South Minerva Reef without making a wake, its slender aluminum hull gleaming salmon-pink in the rising sun, JP and I fell in love with that yacht. In addition to its sleek ratio (17.6m/3.6m,) wrap-around windows, spacious aft deck, and one-level living, the LRC 58 checks off every box in our Passagemaker checklist.
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| BROADSWORD's bright galley |
- Affordable: around $700,000 US.
- Economical: at cruising speed of 9.5 kts, burns 1 liter per nautical mile.
- Capable: with a range of 4,400 NM at 9.5 kts, this is a true circumnavigator, self-righting should it broach.
- Simple: One owner’s stateroom, one head, and adjustable sofas in the parlour that allow for a double and a single bunk.
- Understated elegance: bare 5083 aluminum, soothing interior in slate-and-sand tones, a classic yacht feeling thanks to the withe-painted wood headliner, sleek integrated stainless steel counters in the galley; this is a true gentleman’s yacht that has everything to please a lady.
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| The lovely Parlour |
Kindly, BROADSWORD’s owner Dominic Park invited us to tour his home, accompanied by the designer himself, Dennis Harjamaa, and shared his story with us. Dominic was looking for a motor yacht that could fulfill his dreams of spending the summers in Greece and the winters in the Caribbean, meaning two transatlantic crossings a year and the ability to handle the Gulf Stream at any time. Simple systems and easy maintenance were at the top of Mr. Park’s list. But no ocean-crossing monohull on the market met his criteria. Enter the young designer, Dennis Harjamaa.
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| Dominic (left) and Dennis (right) built a lovely, capable, affordable passagemaker |
The right man, with the right idea, at the right time and in the right place, Dennis is not your ordinary designer. Born and educated in Finland, his youth was steeped in the rich brew of sturdy Norse boats. Dennis then honed his skills at the Washington County Technical School in Eastport, Maine, where he studied all aspects of classical wooden boat building and lofting. After that he spent one year at the Landing School in Kennebunkport. He is now running Artnautica Yacht Design in Auckland, New Zealand. Four years ago, he started designing the LRC58 for himself, perhaps to prove the point that “LESS IS MORE.” With hull # 1, KOTI (“Home” in Finnish) on the launching block, Harjamaa had triggered enough of Mr. Park’s interest to start building hull #2, BROADSWORD (launched last September 2015.) Hull #3 is currently under construction at Dickey Boats. Another hull will be starting construction in Holland within a few weeks.
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| The bow |
If we like the LRC 58’s clean design and simple systems, we also like the fact that BROADSWORD was built in New Zealand by DICKEY Boats. Quality craftsmanship is obvious in all details, great care has been taken at all steps to prevent galvanic corrosion, materials and furnishings are of the highest quality, all complying to the exacting New Zealand standards. One detail we like: the massive hoisting rings that allow the LRC to be lifted by any crane!
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| The massive hoisting ring |
We asked Dominic Park what he liked best about his yacht. “The bed!” Indeed, the queen-size bed is spacious, an extension of the parlour where Mr. Park finds serenity while he lounges in the saloon’s diffuse light, appreciating the comfort of a cocoon without the darkness of a dungeon. He also likes the Raymarine electronics smart suite on C-Zone which affords him to select the running mode of the electronics at the push of a button.
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| "Mr. Todd" - |
We also asked him what he would do differently. A bigger engine? no, but a get-home engine would be nice, although the LRC58 is fitted with trick-booms that can be rigged with sails.
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| The Raymarine Suite |
As for Dennis, he particularly likes the KUBOTA engine block, a 4-cylinder tractor diesel engine marinized by BETA Marine in the UK, that comes with a 3-year self-service warranty. Do your own maintenance!
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| The saloon and helm |
What about future boats? Dennis Harjamaa, still inspired by classic designs ranging from George Buehler’s “Troller Yacht” concept to Nigel Irens and Michael Kasten, even Philip Stark’s futuristic designs, has several designs on the drawing board, including a 20.8m and a 24m cruiser that will have 2 cabins, 2 heads, 2 engines (1 main and 1 get-home.) Currently designed for Mr. Park —whose requirements now include a crew member— we expect to see this yacht in production very soon.
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| The ample aft deck, ready for dinghy storage during passages: just fold the table and chairs! Marvelous one-level design, room for a large party! |
What about technology? With an eye on the future but not willing to be a Guinea pig, the designer looks for developments in solar panel efficiency, gyroscopic stabilization (LRC58 has no stabilization and perhaps needs none) diesel electric engines, proven and tested. Dennis will not put a client underway with a half-baked system.
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| Dominic Park, proud and happy owner! |
“It’s not so much going from A to B that I like,” quips Mr. Park, “it’s rather enjoying the life at B!” This no-nonsense gentleman’s yacht should delight Mr. Park as BROADSWORD embarks on her Maiden Voyage, from NZ to Fiji, Tonga, the Samoas, French Polynesia, Panama, the Caribbean, and—at last— Greece. Doing this passage at counter-current is the ultimate test for a motor yacht.
Why? “Just because I can!” Bon Voyage, Dominic!
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| Dennis and Dominic enjoy their creation |
Looking for a world cruiser? Take a good look at the serious LRC 58 by Artnautica’s designer, Dennis Hargamaa… and remember Dennis’ name: this young man might surprise us yet with clean, efficient, affordable designs!
Till next time…
dominomarie